Flower Power

The art of adding flowers to tea has been perfected since its introduction, believed to have been during the Tang Dynasty of ancient China,  618-907 AD. This was a period when arts and culture flourished, and in trend tea masters elevated the tea drinking experience with this addition of natural fragrances.

Floral infusions can stand alone, bolstered by their own unique flavours, soothing properties, and proposed health benefits. In more modern times, however, flowers have been incorporated into blends to also add flavour, aroma and beauty.

Whether you’re feeling the allure of spring flowers, keen for an iced tea to refresh from the summer heat, or simply enjoy teas with a flowery note, a floral tea is guaranteed to satisfy!

To ensure vibrant colour and intense aroma, flowers used in tea are freshly dried. If you are creating your own floral tea, be sure that the flowers you use are organically grown; most flowers attained from the florist market are heavily sprayed, with the purpose of capturing the beauty of the bloom. This renders the flowers less than ideal for internal purposes. The good news here though is, most flowers which lend themselves to brewing can be easily grown in your garden, so you can have an on-hand fresh supply ready for tea preparation!

Below are the flowers we use in our signature range of blends, known for their touch of elegance, flavour and fragrance to the tea-drinking experience.

Calendula:

This ancient flower variety adds an enthusiastic pop of colour to any tea blend, and is often favoured by tea-drinkers seeking a brew to aid the digestive system.

Calendula also adds a bold taste to tea, with an earthy, peppery bite.

Featured in Resplendent and Exhilarate.

Chamomile:

The large, flavourful flower heads of chamomile offer a taste which is often likened to honey and apples. As such, its natural sweetness proves this flower a popular addition to teas.

Also recognised for its soothing effect, the light brew of chamomile is often sought to promote sleep or reduce anxiety. It is additionally suggested that chamomile be served during a time of illness, for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Featured in Equanimity.

Cornflower:

With only a subtle hints of sweet, but spicy clove, this flower is more often used to add visual appeal to tea blends. Most commonly included in tea is the blue variety of cornflower, but it can also be grown in white, red, pink and purple.

Featured in Resplendent and Sanguine.

Hibiscus:

A vivid crimson hue accompanies the citrusy flavour of hibiscus. Unlike most other floral teas, which are light and delicate, this bold, flavourful taste of hibiscus lends itself well to cold brew teas, or used as a base for a sweet yet tart taste.

The vibrant colour is reflective of the high antioxidant content of the hibiscus flower, boasting many health-promoting properties. Thirst-quenching and good for you, hibiscus is definitely worth a place in your tea collection.

Featured in Sanguine.

Jasmine:

Of sweet taste and aromatic appeal, jasmine is one of the most popular botanical additions to tea. The gentle flora notes balance well with all types of tea, although is most often paired with a green tea base.

Beyond taste and beauty, jasmine tea is used to improve mental clarity, and reduce stress. From decades past, it recognised as a symbol of grace and purity.

Featured in Quiescence.

Lavender:

Quite strong on its own, lavender is a delicate flower added to tea blends for its distinct aroma and floral taste.

Used in traditional medicine for centuries as a mood booster, it is also a preference for those desiring to alleviate depression, or to enhance calm for those who are anxious or stressed. The tranquil touch of lavender also lends itself suitable as a sleep-promoter.

Featured in Quiescence.

Rose:

The beloved and fabled flower that is rose offers a luxurious touch to tea, uplifts spirits and soothes senses. Blending well with all types of true tea, and most tisanes, it is easy to attain the sense of calm that rose delivers.

Beyond its wellbeing benefits, and being the prominent symbol of romance, rose petals are added to tea to impart their unique delicate aroma and flavour.

On the contrary, rosehips – the fruit of the rose – bring a tangy, citrus flavour, and so offer a fruity sweetness to tea blends.

Featured in Repose, as rose, and in Sanguine as rosehip.

Safflower:

Used in teas and culinary creations, safflower is revered for its brilliant yellow petals, and addition of a delicate flavour to tea blends.

Featured in Resplendent.

Whilst we feature the above-mentioned common flowers in our signature range of personalitea, other flowers often infused are blue mallow, butterfly pea flower, chrysanthemum, dianthus, dahlia, marigold, and violet.

No matter which flower you include in your cuppa, the infusion of flowers undeniably adds at least elegance and fragrance to any tea-drinking experience. Afterall, isn’t such a wholesome occasion what we all deserve?